Saudi oil tankers bound for China and India make U-turn after Houthi threat in Red Sea

Theindiapostdaily.com – “`html Saudi Oil Tankers U-Turn in Red Sea After Houthi Threat Saudi Oil Tankers Bound for China Reverse Course in Red Sea Two

Theindiapostdaily.com – “`html

Saudi Oil Tankers Bound for China Reverse Course in Red Sea

Two Saudi oil tankers bound for China altered their path through the Red Sea on Tuesday after Yemen’s Houthi movement announced a naval blockade targeting maritime traffic. The vessels, carrying crude oil destined for Asian markets, executed U-turns following the Houthi warning, raising concerns about global energy supply chains.

According to Reuters and LSEG tracking data, both carriers turned northward toward the Suez passage after receiving the Houthi notification. This development adds another layer to the escalating regional tensions involving Iran and its allies, potentially creating a new front in the broader Middle East confrontation.

The Xin Long Yang’s Changed Route

The Xin Long Yang, a very large crude carrier, had departed from Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port on Monday with approximately two million barrels of crude oil bound for Chinese buyers. Bloomberg reported that the vessel paused before reaching Yemen’s waters on Tuesday morning before turning back northward instead of continuing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

This rerouting highlights growing security challenges for Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea export corridor. The kingdom has increasingly relied on its East-West Pipeline system to move crude through Red Sea channels after disruptions to Persian Gulf facilities from the ongoing Iran conflict.

Houthi Blockade Threatens Global Shipping

On Monday, July 20, the Houthi movement formally declared its naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, promising to resume attacks on ships accessing Saudi ports. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s busiest maritime bottlenecks, connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, serving as a critical artery for crude oil shipments to Asia.

The latest warning has intensified fears of renewed commercial vessel attacks and further disruptions to worldwide petroleum distribution networks. This escalation comes as the Houthis expand their operations beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

Longer Journey Means Higher Costs

If the Xin Long Yang navigates around the Bab el-Mandeb, Bloomberg indicates the ship may need to follow a much longer route through the Suez Canal and around Africa. Since fully loaded VLCCs cannot pass through the Suez Canal at maximum draft, the vessel must offload about half its cargo into Egypt’s Sumed pipeline system before continuing to the Sidi Kerir Mediterranean facility.

Bloomberg noted this alternative path would extend the voyage from roughly 7,000 miles to over 17,000 miles, significantly increasing transportation costs and delivery timelines for Saudi oil tankers bound for China and other Asian destinations.

Regional Tensions Reach New Heights

The Houthi announcement follows the collapse of an interim peace deal between the United States and Iran. Since the agreement failed, Iran has targeted maritime traffic near the Strait of Hormuz while launching attacks on American military bases across Gulf nations. Washington has responded with multiple strikes against Iranian targets.

By threatening Red Sea shipping alongside the Strait of Hormuz, the Houthis have widened the threats facing two of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors. This expansion has raised concerns about oil availability, shipping expenses, and broader international trade disruptions.

Direct Warning to Shipping Companies

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia has cautioned international shipping firms against loading or unloading cargo at Saudi facilities. The group warned that vessels violating this directive could face targeting “in any location” within their operational reach.

This email notification, confirmed by Reuters, marks a significant escalation in the Houthis’ campaign against maritime traffic, potentially affecting numerous Saudi oil tankers bound for China and India in the coming weeks.

“`